Protection of natural resources: promotion of tropical forests, Community action

Mr KINNOCK considered that the ‘tropical forests’ budget line, established at the initiative of the EP, had become an important instrument of forest policy; spending under this line was used for the partnership with national parks and certification procedures. He also believed that the need to protect all forests had finally been recognised. As regards the EP’s amendments, the Commissioner accepted the amendments that strengthened the budget line in question: Amendments Nos 6, 7, 9, 25 and 31. However, he opposed the amendments calling for the unilateral recognition of the tropical wood market, as these contradicted the trade agreements. He supported the principle of voluntary certification, but felt that it was not appropriate to establish such a system at EU level before the publication of the results of the Ad Hoc Working Group of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. He therefore rejected Amendments Nos 5, 16, 35 and 36. Finally, the Commission supported the amendments aimed at increasing the number of experts, but it considered that it could itself determine the arrangements for the referral to, and operation of, the groups of experts; Amendments Nos 4, 14, 19 and 23 were rejected.